Licking the Razor's Edge (2015)

Introduction
Over the course of my life, I’ve heard quite a few people subtly criticizing or even
openly condemning “drug addicts”, professing their conviction that individuals who
abuse drugs are somehow “less than” the rest of us “non-users”. And while this might
not be per se true, it is a fact that those who are addicted to drugs (both legal and illegal)
do indeed damage themselves every time they use, and they often harm others around
them as well.
That having been said, if we are sincere about wanting to lessen the damage done
by addiction in our lives and to our society, it is important to understand a few things …
Firstly, it is crucial for each of us to wake up and realize that there are many
other addictions that are just as destructive as drug use (if not more so). In-deed, every
one of our self-centered habits (even the ones that others judge to be “Ok” or that society
labels to be “appropriate”) keeps us from doing the one thing that we are here to Do – the
only thing that will one day bring us real, lasting Peace … namely, actively Caring for
others.
Yes, such egocentric activities are often pleasurable, and yet it is very important
to understand that they are also completely counterproductive. Indeed, every time we
choose self over other or personal pleasure over selfless service, it is the spiritual
equivalent of licking honey from a razor blade.
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